Display apparatus

ABSTRACT

A display apparatus includes a display panel configured to display an image and a touch antenna array disposed on the display panel. The touch antenna array may include a touch electrode, a touch wiring electrically connected to the touch electrode, an antenna electrode including a plurality of antenna elements, a feeder electrically connected to the antenna electrode, and a shielding electrode disposed between the touch wiring and the feeder.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/938,217, filed on Jul. 24, 2020, which claims priority under 35 USC §119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0124607 filed on Oct. 8,2019 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), the entiredisclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to a display apparatus and moreparticularly to a touch screen display apparatus with an embeddedantenna.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

Contemporary display devices such as smartphones, laptops, tablets,televisions and the like typically include one or more embedded antennasto perform a communication function. Various types and arrangements ofembedded antennas have been attempted with the aim of occupying minimalspace within the overall device and minimizing interference with theinternal electronics of the display device.

A touch screen device is generally configured in a stacked structurewith a display panel at a lower layer and a transparent conductive touchgrid at an upper layer. In a touch screen, when a user touches a regionof the touch grid, the touch causes a change in impedance at thatregion, typically a capacitance change (but in some cases, a resistancechange). The impedance change is indicative of a user input at thatregion, and is detected by circuitry connected to the touch grid,causing the device to initiate a predetermined response.

SUMMARY

Some example embodiments provide a display apparatus including a touchelectrode for a touch input function and an antenna electrode for acommunication function.

According to an aspect of example embodiments, a display apparatus mayinclude a display panel configured to display an image and a touchantenna array disposed on the display panel. The touch antenna array mayinclude a touch electrode, a touch wiring electrically connected to thetouch electrode, an antenna electrode having a plurality of antennaelements, a feeder electrically connected to the antenna electrode, anda shielding electrode disposed between the touch wiring and the feeder.

In example embodiments, the display apparatus may include a display areain which the image is displayed and a non-display area contacting thedisplay area. In addition, the antenna electrode may be disposed in thedisplay area adjacent to the non-display area.

In example embodiments, the touch antenna array may further include aground wiring spaced apart from the touch wiring, a ground voltage or aconstant voltage being applied to the ground wiring, and the shieldingelectrode may be electrically connected to the ground wiring.

In example embodiments, the touch wiring, the ground wiring, the feeder,and the shielding electrode may be disposed in the non-display area.

In example embodiments, the antenna electrode may be spaced apart fromthe touch electrode when viewed in a plan view so as not to overlap thetouch electrode.

In example embodiments, the touch electrode and the antenna electrodemay be disposed on a same layer.

In example embodiments, the display apparatus may further include afirst insulating layer disposed between the touch wiring and theshielding electrode and a second insulating layer disposed between theshielding electrode and the feeder.

In example embodiments, the feeder and the antenna electrode may makecontact with each other through a contact hole formed in an insulatinglayer.

In example embodiments, the touch antenna array may further include aground wiring spaced apart from the touch wiring, a ground voltage or aconstant voltage being applied to the ground wiring, and the shieldingelectrode may extend from the ground wiring.

In example embodiments, the touch antenna array may further include aground wiring spaced apart from the touch wiring, a ground voltage or aconstant voltage being applied to the ground wiring, and the shieldingelectrode and the ground wiring may make contact with each other througha contact hole formed in an insulating layer.

In example embodiments, the touch antenna array may further include aground wiring spaced apart from the touch wiring, a ground voltage or aconstant voltage being applied to the ground wiring, and the groundwiring and the touch wiring may be disposed on different layers.

In example embodiments, the antenna electrode may include a repeatingpattern shape, and the touch electrode may include a pattern shapeidentical to the pattern shape of the antenna electrode.

In example embodiments, the pattern shape of the antenna electrode mayinclude a lattice pattern or a mesh pattern.

In example embodiments, the display panel may be an organic lightemitting diode display panel. In addition, a first power supply voltage,a second power supply voltage, or an initialization voltage for drivingthe organic light emitting diode display panel may be applied to theshielding electrode.

In example embodiments, the display apparatus may further include a basefilm disposed between the touch electrode and the antenna electrode andan adhesive layer adhered to the base film.

In example embodiments, the display panel may include a substrate, athin film transistor layer disposed on the substrate and including athin film transistor, a pixel defining layer disposed on the thin filmtransistor layer and configured to define an opening, and a lightemitting structure disposed in the opening of the pixel defining layer.In addition, an emission area may be defined to correspond to theopening of the pixel defining layer. Further, the antenna electrode mayhave a pattern shape including an opening so as not to overlap theemission area.

In example embodiments, the touch electrode may not overlap the emissionarea.

In example embodiments, the display apparatus may include a display areain which the image is displayed and a non-display area contacting thedisplay area. In addition, the touch wiring may be disposed in thenon-display area, and the antenna electrode and the touch electrode maybe disposed in the display area.

In example embodiments, a connection portion between the non-displayarea and the display area may be folded so that the non-display area islocated on a rear side of the display area.

In example embodiments, the display area of the display apparatus mayinclude a main display area and an edge display area connected to themain display area. In addition, the non-display area may contact theedge display area, and the edge display area may have a curved surfacebent in a direction perpendicular to the main display area. Further, theantenna electrode may be disposed in the edge display area.

According to an aspect of example embodiments, a display apparatus mayinclude a display panel including a display area in which an image isdisplayed and a non-display area making contact with one side of thedisplay area, a touch antenna array disposed on the display panel, and atouch antenna driver disposed on the non-display area of the displaypanel. The touch antenna array may include a touch electrode disposed onthe display area and an antenna electrode having a plurality of antennaelements disposed on the display area and formed on a same layer as thetouch electrode. In addition, the touch antenna driver may transmit anelectrical signal to the touch electrode and the antenna electrodeand/or may receive an electrical signal from the touch electrode and theantenna electrode.

According to an aspect of example embodiments, a display apparatus mayinclude a display panel configured to display an image and a touchantenna array disposed on the display panel. Here, the touch antennaarray may include a touch electrode, a touch wiring electricallyconnected to the touch electrode, an antenna electrode including aplurality of antenna elements, a feeder electrically connected to theantenna electrode, and a shielding electrode to which a ground voltageor a constant voltage is applied. In addition, at least two of the touchwiring, the feeder, and the shielding electrode may at least partiallyoverlap each other.

A display apparatus according to example embodiments may include adisplay panel that displays an image and a touch antenna array disposedon the display panel. The touch antenna array may include a touchelectrode and an antenna electrode to perform a touch function and anantenna function. In various embodiments as summarized above, since ashielding electrode to which a ground voltage or a constant voltage isapplied is disposed between a touch wiring electrically connected to thetouch electrode and a feeder electrically connected to the antennaelectrode, a signal distortion problem caused by a coupling capacitancebetween the touch wiring and the feeder, which are driven at differentfrequencies and voltages, may be prevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative, non-limiting example embodiments will be more clearlyunderstood from the following detailed description in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a display apparatusaccording to example embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a touch antenna array in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional diagram taken along an antenna electrode anda feeder of the display apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional diagram taken along an antenna electrode anda feeder of a display apparatus according to example embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional diagram taken along an antenna electrode anda feeder of a display apparatus according to example embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional diagram taken along an antenna electrode anda feeder of a display apparatus according to example embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional diagram taken along an antenna electrode anda feeder of a display apparatus according to example embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional diagram taken along an antenna electrode anda feeder of a display apparatus according to example embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional diagram taken along an antenna electrode anda feeder of a display apparatus according to example embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional diagram taken along an antenna electrodeand a feeder of a display apparatus according to example embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional diagram taken along an antenna electrodeand a feeder of a display apparatus according to example embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional diagram taken along an antenna electrodeand a feeder of a display apparatus according to example embodiments.

FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating an antenna electrode and a feeder ofa display apparatus according to example embodiments.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional diagram taken along a line I-I′ in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating a display panel of adisplay apparatus according to example embodiments.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a displayapparatus according to example embodiments.

FIG. 17 is a perspective diagram illustrating a display apparatusaccording to example embodiments.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating a first edge area ofthe display apparatus of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating a first edge area of adisplay apparatus according to example embodiments.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic apparatusaccording to example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present inventive concept will beexplained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Herein, the term “touch antenna array” refers to an apparatus thatincludes an arrangement of conductive elements in which at least a firstportion forms an antenna array and a second portion forms a touch sensorfor a touch screen or touch panel. In some embodiments, the conductiveelements forming the antenna array are independent of other conductiveelements forming the touch sensor, but may overlay the touch screen ortouch panel. In other embodiments, at least some of the conductiveelements forming the antenna array also form a portion of the touchsensor.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating exemplarycomponents of a display apparatus, 100, according to exampleembodiments. The display apparatus may include a display panel DP, ascan driver SCAN, a data driver DD, an emission control driver EM, acontroller CON, a touch antenna array TA described hereafter, a touchdriver TSP, and an antenna driver AD.

The display panel DP may include a plurality of pixels for displaying animage. For example, the display panel DP may include n×m pixels (where nand m are each integers greater than 1) located at intersecting portionsof scan lines extending in a first direction D1 and data lines extendingin a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1.Various known structures may be utilized for the structure of the pixel,and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The scan driver SCAN may sequentially provide a scan signal to thepixels through the scan lines based on a control signal received fromthe controller CON.

The data driver DD may provide a data signal to the pixels through thedata lines based on a control signal received from the controller CON.

The emission control driver EM may sequentially provide an emissioncontrol signal to the pixels through emission control lines based on acontrol signal received from the controller CON.

The controller CON may control the scan driver SCAN, the data driver DD,and the emission control driver EM. The controller CON may generate thecontrol signals to control the scan driver SCAN, the data driver DD, andthe emission control driver EM.

In addition, the display apparatus may further include a power supplyunit (not shown) configured to supply a first power supply voltageELVDD, a second power supply voltage ELVSS, and an initializationvoltage VINT to the display panel DP.

The touch antenna array TA may include a touch electrode comprising aplurality of touch electrode elements for a touch input function and an“antenna electrode” (interchangeably, “antenna array”) which comprises aplurality of antenna elements for a communication function. The touchantenna array TA may further include a touch wiring, a ground wiring, anantenna feed network (hereafter, “feeder”), and a shielding electrode.

The touch wiring may be electrically connected to the touch electrode. Aground or fixed voltage SV may be applied to the ground wiring. In anexample embodiment, the ground voltage or fixed voltage SV may be thesame voltage as either the first power supply voltage ELVDD, the secondpower supply voltage ELVSS, or the initialization voltage VINT.

The feeder may be electrically connected to the antenna electrode. Theshielding electrode may be electrically connected to the ground wiring,and may be disposed between the touch wiring and the feeder. An exampleof the touch antenna array TA will be described in detail below withreference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

The touch driver TSP may transmit an electrical signal to the touchelectrode, and may receive an electrical signal from the touch electrodeto detect a touch of a user.

The antenna driver AD may transmit an electrical signal (e.g., a radiofrequency (RF) signal) to the antenna electrode, and/or may receive anRF signal from the antenna electrode to perform a transmission/receptioncommunication function. An RF signal may be a signal at any suitablefrequency to be wirelessly transmitted/received to/from another device,and may range from a sub-microwave frequency (below about 1 GHz) tomillimeter wave frequencies (above about 30 GHz). Thetransmission/reception communication function may be a far fieldcommunication function, or a near field communication function,depending on the embodiment.

The antenna driver AD may include a radio frequency integrated circuit(RFIC) configured to feed power to and/or receive power from the antennaelectrode. The RFIC may include a high-power amplifier (HPA) and alow-noise amplifier (LNA). In this case, a transmission signaltransmitted through the HPA may be radiated through the antennaelectrode, and a reception signal received through the antenna electrodemay be amplified through the LNA.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating an example touch antenna array of thedisplay apparatus 100 in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 2, the touch antenna array TA of the displayapparatus 100 may include an antenna array 210 comprising a plurality Nof antenna electrodes 210_1 to 210_N, and a touch electrode TE includinga plurality of touch electrodes such as TE1-1 in the upper left cornerand TE2-k in the lower right corner, which are disposed in a displayarea AA. The touch antenna array TA may include a touch driver TSPconfigured to drive the touch electrode TE disposed in a non-displayarea NAA and an antenna driver AD configured to drive the antennaelectrode 210. (Although the TSP is depicted separate from the touchantenna array TA in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, it may be part ofthe touch antenna array TA as illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 2.)The touch antenna array TA may further include a feeder 212, a touchwiring TW including a first touch wiring RXL and a second touch wiringTXL, a ground wiring, and a shielding electrode electrically connectedto the ground wiring.

The display apparatus may include the display area AA in which an imageis displayed and the non-display area NAA adjacent to and making contactwith the display area AA on a plane defined by the first direction D1and the second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1. Thedisplay area AA may be an area in which the pixels of the display panelDP are disposed to display an image, and may receive a touch input ofthe user. The non-display area NAA may be an area in which no image isdisplayed, and may be covered by a light blocking portion (not shown) ordisposed on a rear side of the display area AA as will be describedbelow with reference to FIG. 18.

The touch electrode TE may include first touch electrodes TE1 and secondtouch electrodes TE2 arranged in alternating columns respect to thedirection D1, and in alternating rows with respect to the direction D2.In the illustrated example, each of the first and second touchelectrodes TE1 and TE2 has a rhomboid shape such as a square (except forthe electrodes at the edges of the display area, which may betriangular), with a first set of opposite corners being aligned in theD1 direction and the other set of opposite corners aligned in the D2direction. The first touch electrodes TE1 may be electrically connectedto each other in the first direction D1 (i.e., row direction). The firsttouch electrodes TE1 may be electrically connected to the first touchwiring RXL. The touch wiring may be electrically connected to the touchdriver TSP.

The second touch electrodes TE2 may be electrically connected to eachother in the second direction D2 (i.e., column direction). The secondtouch electrode TE2 may be electrically connected to the second touchwiring TXL.

Each of the first and second electrodes TE1 and TE2 may be smaller thana touch region of user's finger or touch device. Thus, a user's touchtypically changes impedance (e.g. capacitance or resistance) of a regionof at least one first electrode TE1 and a region of at least oneproximate second electrode TE2. By electrically connecting each of thefirst touch electrodes TE1 of each respective row, and electricallyconnecting each of the second electrodes TE2 of each respective columnas described above, coordinates of the touch location in the D1 and D2directions may be determined. For instance, when a user touches a regionoverlapping at least one first touch electrode TE1 and at least onesecond touch electrode TE2, the row and column of the touch may bedetected through a combination of a detected impedance changes throughthe first touch wires RXL and the second touch wires TXL. For instance,if one of the first touch wires RXLi and one of the second touch wiresTXLi each detect an impedance change, the TSP may determine that a touchoccurred in the lower left hand corner of the display area AA.

Each of the touch electrodes TE1 and TE2 may have a rectangular, squareof other shape, may have sides parallel to the first direction D1 andthe second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1, or maybe inclined with respect to the first direction D1 and the seconddirection D2. In the example of FIG. 2, each of the touch electrodes TE1and TE2 has sides inclined with respect to the directions D1 and D2 byan angle θ (e.g., 45° in the case of square shapes) such that a firstset of opposite sides of each square shape is parallel to a direction D3and the other set of opposite sides is parallel to a direction D4.

The antenna electrode 210 may be disposed in the display area AAadjacent to the non-display area NAA. The antenna electrode 210 may bespaced from the touch electrode TE when viewed in a plan view so as notto overlap the touch electrode TE. The antenna electrode 210 may beelectrically connected to the feeder 212. The feeder 212 may beelectrically connected to the antenna driver AD.

The antenna electrode 210 may be comprised of a linear array of Nantenna electrodes (hereafter, “antenna elements”) 210_1 to 210_N. Thefeeder 212 may be a combiner and/or divider network with branch armsBA_1 to BA_N that are connected to the antenna elements 210_1 to 210_N,respectively. The feeder 212 may divide a transmit direction RF signalinputted from the antenna driver AD into a plurality N divided signalsat the branch arms BA_1 to BA-N, respectively. In the receive direction,the feeder 212 may serve as a combiner to combine N signals receivedfrom the antenna elements 210_1 to 210_N, respectively, and provide thecombined signal to the antenna driver AD. Each antenna element 210_i(i=any one of 1 to N) may be a patch antenna element having a squareshape (as depicted in FIG. 2), or a rectangular or other shape. Thepatch antenna element itself may configured as a grid of conductiveelements, allowing light to pass from the display. (See FIG. 13.) Eachantenna element 210_i may have one pair of opposite sides parallel tothe third direction D3 and another pair of opposite sides parallel tothe fourth direction D4 as illustrated, or the respective sides may beparallel to the first and second directions D1 and D2 in alternativearrangements. The shape and size of an antenna aperture defined by allof the antenna elements 210_1 to 210_N constituting the antennaelectrode 210 may be appropriately designed according to an operatingfrequency band to be used by the antenna electrode 210.

For example, each antenna element 210 may have conductors arranged in arepetitive pattern shape, and the touch electrodes TE1 and TE2 may havethe same pattern shape as the antenna electrode 210. The pattern shapeof the antenna element 210 may be a lattice or mesh pattern.

In other words, most of the repeating pattern shape in the form of alattice or mesh disposed in the display area AA may constitute the touchelectrode, and a portion of the pattern shape adjacent to thenon-display area NAA may constitute the antenna electrode 210.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the antenna electrode 210 is alinear array of antenna elements 210_1 to 210_N linearly arranged in thedirection D2. In some embodiments, the antenna elements 210_1 to 210_Nare not used to detect user touch inputs in the regions they occupy, andare therefore not electrically connected to the first touch wiring RXLor TXL (as illustrated in FIG. 2). However, if a user touches a regionof an antenna element 210, the user's touch will typically extend to twoor more adjacent touch electrodes TE1, and a precise touch point maystill be determined by interpolation.

The antenna electrode 210 may be a patterned portion of a conductivelayer disposed between insulating layers. The conductive layer mayinclude one or a combination of silver (Ag), gold (Au), copper (Cu),aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), chromium (Cr), titanium(Ti), tungsten (W), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), vanadium (V), iron(Fe), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), tin (Sn),and/or an alloy thereof. In addition, the conductive layer may be formedby using transparent metal oxide such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indiumzinc oxide (IZO), indium zinc tin oxide (ITZO), and zinc oxide(ZnO_(x)).

When the antenna electrode 210 is implemented with a silver (Ag)material, the antenna electrode 210 has excellent transparency andexcellent electrical characteristics such as antenna radiationcharacteristics. In addition, the silver (Ag) material may beimplemented with the narrowest line width and the lattice (or mesh) maybe implemented with the finest spacing as compared to that achievablewith other materials. Therefore, in a millimeter-wave band of a 28 GHzor 39 GHz frequency band, for example, the antenna electrode 210 and thefeeder 212 having a narrow line width can be designed by using thesilver material.

Meanwhile, the antenna electrode 210 and the feeder 212 may beimplemented in the form of a metal mesh. In this case, the antennaelectrode 210 and the feeder 212 may be implemented such that the metalmesh is electrically connected, and a dielectric area in which theantenna electrode 210 and the feeder 212 are not provided may beimplemented such that the metal mesh is removed. In another exampleembodiment, the metal mesh may be adjacent to the antenna electrode 210and the feeder 212 even in the dielectric area to the extent that themetal mesh does not electrically affect the antenna electrode 210 andthe feeder 212. Although the metal mesh disposed in the dielectric areais not an area in which a signal is transmitted or radiated, since themetal mesh is disposed in the dielectric area, the metal mesh may beuniformly disposed over an entire area of the display apparatus, so thatvisibility of the display apparatus can be improved.

Meanwhile, the shape and arrangement of the touch electrode TE and theantenna electrode 210 may vary by design to achieve desirableobjectives.

The touch driver TSP may be disposed in the non-display area NAA. Thetouch driver TSP may be configured as an integrated circuit directlymounted on the touch antenna array TA, or may have a configuration inwhich a pad electrode is formed on the touch antenna array TA and thetouch antenna array TA is connected to a separate driving substratethrough the pad electrode.

The antenna driver AD may be disposed in the non-display area NAA. Theantenna driver AD may be configured as an integrated circuit directlymounted on the touch antenna array TA, or may have a configuration inwhich a pad electrode is formed on the touch antenna array TA and thetouch antenna array TA is connected to a separate driving substratethrough the pad electrode.

The touch wiring, the ground wiring, the feeder 212, and the shieldingelectrode may be disposed in the non-display area NAA.

Although one feeder 212 has been described as being connected to oneantenna electrode in the illustrated example, at least two feeders maybe connected to one antenna electrode so as to perform dual feeding. Forinstance one feeder 212 may be used for transmitting signals from afirst set of antenna elements of the antenna electrode 210 and anotherfeeder 212 may be used for receiving signals from a second set ofantenna elements of the antenna electrode 210, where the first andsecond sets of antenna elements may be the same in some embodiments andmay be different in other embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional diagram taken along an antenna electrode 210and a feeder 212 of the display apparatus of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the display apparatus may include a displaypanel DP, a first conductive layer, a first insulating layer 120, asecond conductive layer, a second insulating layer 130, and a thirdconductive layer. The first conductive layer may include a ground wiring112 and a touch wiring 114. The second conductive layer may include ashielding electrode 122. The third conductive layer may include anantenna electrode 210 and a feeder 212.

The first conductive layer may be disposed on the display panel DP. Thefirst conductive layer may include one or more of silver (Ag), gold(Au), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd),chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta),vanadium (V), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), zinc(Zn), tin (Sn), and/or an alloy thereof. In addition, the firstconductive layer may be formed by using transparent metal oxide such asindium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium zinc tin oxide(ITZO), and zinc oxide (ZnO_(x)).

The first conductive layer may include the ground wiring 112 and thetouch wiring 114 which are disposed in the non-display area NAA.

A ground voltage or a fixed voltage may be applied to the ground wiring112. The ground or fixed voltage may be a first power supply voltageELVDD, a second power supply voltage ELVSS, or an initialization voltageVINT for driving the display panel DP when embodied as an organic lightemitting diode display panel.

The touch wiring 114 may be spaced apart from the ground wiring 112. Thetouch wiring 114 may be electrically connected to the touch electrode.

The first insulating layer 120 may be disposed on the first conductivelayer. The first insulating layer 120 may include an inorganicinsulating material such as a silicon compound and metal oxide. Forexample, the first insulating layer 120 may be formed of silicon oxide(SiO_(x)), silicon nitride (SiN_(x)), silicon oxynitride (SiO_(x)N_(y)),silicon oxycarbide (SiO_(x)C_(y)), silicon carbonitride (SiC_(x)N_(y)),aluminum oxide (AlO_(x)), aluminum nitride (AlN_(x)), tantalum oxide(TaO_(x)), hafnium oxide (HfO_(x)), zirconium oxide (ZrO_(x)), titaniumoxide (TiO_(x)), and the like. The first insulating layer 120 mayinclude a plurality of layers. According to another example embodiment,the first insulating layer 120 may include an organic insulatingmaterial.

The second conductive layer may be disposed on the first insulatinglayer 120. The second conductive layer may include one or more or silver(Ag), gold (Au), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium(Pd), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), niobium (Nb), tantalum(Ta), vanadium (V), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni),zinc (Zn), tin (Sn), and/or an alloy thereof. In addition, the secondconductive layer may be formed by using transparent metal oxide such asindium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium zinc tin oxide(ITZO), and zinc oxide (ZnO_(x)).

The second conductive layer may include the shielding electrode 122. Theshielding electrode 122 may be electrically connected to the groundwiring 112 through a contact hole formed through the first insulatinglayer 120. A portion of the shielding electrode 122 may be disposed inthe non-display area NAA to overlap the touch wiring 114, and a portionof the shielding electrode 122 may be disposed in the display area AA tooverlap the antenna electrode 210.

The second insulating layer 130 may be disposed on the first insulatinglayer 120 on which the second conductive layer is disposed. The secondinsulating layer 130 may include an inorganic insulating material suchas a silicon compound and metal oxide. For example, the secondinsulating layer 130 may be formed of silicon oxide (SiO_(x)), siliconnitride (SiN_(x)), silicon oxynitride (SiO_(x)N_(y)), silicon oxycarbide(SiO_(x)C_(y)), silicon carbonitride (SiC_(x)N_(y)), aluminum oxide(AlO_(x)), aluminum nitride (AlN_(x)), tantalum oxide (TaO_(x)), hafniumoxide (HfO_(x)), zirconium oxide (ZrO_(x)), titanium oxide (TiO_(x)),and the like. The second insulating layer 130 may include a plurality oflayers. In another example embodiment, the second insulating layer 130may include an organic insulating material.

The third conductive layer may be disposed on the second insulatinglayer 130. The third conductive layer may include one or more of silver(Ag), gold (Au), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium(Pd), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), niobium (Nb), tantalum(Ta), vanadium (V), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni),zinc (Zn), tin (Sn), and/or an alloy thereof. In addition, the thirdconductive layer may be formed by using transparent metal oxide such asindium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium zinc tin oxide(ITZO), and zinc oxide (ZnO_(x)).

The third conductive layer may include the antenna electrode 210disposed in the display area AA and the feeder 212 disposed in thenon-display area NAA. The antenna electrode 210 and the feeder 212 maybe connected to each other.

Accordingly, the shielding electrode 122 may be electrically connectedto the ground wiring 112, and may be disposed between the touch wiring114 and the feeder 212.

According to the embodiment, the display apparatus 100 includes thedisplay panel DP configured to display an image and the touch antennaarray TA disposed on the display panel DP. The touch antenna arrayincludes the touch electrode TE and the antenna electrode 210 to performa touch function and an antenna function. In this case, since theshielding electrode to which the ground voltage or the constant voltageis applied is disposed between the touch wiring electrically connectedto the touch electrode and the feeder electrically connected to theantenna electrode, a signal distortion problem caused by a couplingcapacitance between the touch wiring and the feeder, which are driven atdifferent frequencies and voltages, can be prevented.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional diagram taken along an antenna electrode anda feeder of a display apparatus according to example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 4, the display apparatus is substantially the same asthe display apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 3 except for a stacked structure ofthe ground wiring 112, the touch wiring 114, the shielding electrode122, the antenna electrode 210, and the feeder 212. Therefore, redundantdescriptions thereof will be omitted.

The display apparatus may include a display panel DP, a first conductivelayer, a first insulating layer 120, a second conductive layer, a secondinsulating layer 130, and a third conductive layer. The first conductivelayer may include a ground wiring 112, a touch wiring 114, and anantenna electrode 210. The second conductive layer may include ashielding electrode 122. The third conductive layer may include a feeder212.

The first conductive layer may be disposed on the display panel DP. Thefirst conductive layer may include the ground wiring 112 and the touchwiring 114, which are disposed in the non-display area NAA, and theantenna electrode 210 disposed in the display area AA.

The first insulating layer 120 may be disposed on the first conductivelayer. In detail, the first insulating layer 120 may expose the groundwiring 112, and may cover and insulate the touch wiring 114. Forexample, the first insulating layer 120 may completely cover the touchwiring 114, may expose a portion of the ground wiring 112, and may notbe formed in the display area AA when viewed in a sectional view.

The second conductive layer may be disposed on the display panel DP onwhich the first insulating layer 120 is disposed. The second conductivelayer may include the shielding electrode 122 disposed in thenon-display area NAA. The shielding electrode 122 may be electricallyconnected to the ground wiring 112 exposed by the first insulating layer120. The shielding electrode 122 may be disposed in the non-display areaNAA to overlap the touch wiring 114. In other words, the shieldingelectrode 122 may cover the touch wiring 114 while being insulated fromthe touch wiring 114 by the first insulating layer 120.

The second insulating layer 130 may be disposed on the first insulatinglayer 120 on which the second conductive layer is disposed.

The third conductive layer may be disposed on the second insulatinglayer 130. The third conductive layer may include the feeder 212disposed in the non-display area NAA. The feeder 212 may extend to theantenna electrode 210 in the display area AA so as to be electricallyconnected to the antenna electrode 210 through a contact hole formedthrough the second insulating layer 130.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional diagram taken along an antenna electrode anda feeder of a display apparatus according to example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 5, the display apparatus is substantially the same asthe display apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 3 except for a stacked structure ofthe ground wiring 112, the touch wiring 114, the shielding electrode122, the antenna electrode 210, and the feeder 212. Therefore, redundantdescriptions thereof will be omitted.

The display apparatus may include a display panel DP, a first conductivelayer, a first insulating layer 120, a second conductive layer, a secondinsulating layer 130, and a third conductive layer. The first conductivelayer may include a ground wiring 112, a touch wiring 114, and anantenna electrode 210. The second conductive layer may include ashielding electrode 122. The third conductive layer may include anantenna electrode 210 and a feeder 212.

The first conductive layer may be disposed on the display panel DP. Thefirst conductive layer may include the ground wiring 112 and the touchwiring 114 which are disposed in the non-display area NAA. The groundwiring 112 may be disposed between the touch wiring 114 and the displayarea AA.

The first insulating layer 120 may be disposed on the first conductivelayer.

The second conductive layer may be disposed on the first insulatinglayer 120. The second conductive layer may include the shieldingelectrode 122 disposed over the non-display area NAA and the displayarea AA. The shielding electrode 122 may be electrically connected tothe ground wiring 112 through a contact hole formed through the firstinsulating layer 120. The shielding electrode 122 may extend in left andright directions in the drawing so as to overlap the touch wiring 114and overlap the antenna electrode 210 in the display area AA.

The second insulating layer 130 may be disposed on the first insulatinglayer 120 on which the second conductive layer is disposed.

The third conductive layer may be disposed on the second insulatinglayer 130. The third conductive layer may include the feeder 212disposed in the non-display area NAA and the antenna electrode 210disposed in the display area AA. The antenna electrode 210 and thefeeder 212 may be connected to each other.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional diagram taken along an antenna electrode anda feeder of a display apparatus according to example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 6, the display apparatus is substantially the same asthe display apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 3 except for a stacked structure ofthe ground wiring 112, the touch wiring 114, the shielding electrode122, the antenna electrode 210, and the feeder 212. Therefore, redundantdescriptions thereof will be omitted.

The display apparatus may include a display panel DP, a first conductivelayer, a first insulating layer 120, a second conductive layer, a secondinsulating layer 130, and a third conductive layer. The first conductivelayer may include a ground wiring 112 and a touch wiring 114. The secondconductive layer may include a shielding electrode 122. The thirdconductive layer may include an antenna electrode 210 and a feeder 212.

The first conductive layer may be disposed on the display panel DP. Thefirst conductive layer may include the ground wiring 112 and the touchwiring 114 which are disposed in the non-display area NAA. The groundwiring 112 may be disposed between the touch wiring 114 and the displayarea AA, and a shielding portion 113 which overlaps the antennaelectrode 210 in the display area AA may extend from the ground wiring112.

The first insulating layer 120 may be disposed on the first conductivelayer.

The second conductive layer may be disposed on the first insulatinglayer 120. The second conductive layer may include the shieldingelectrode 122 disposed in the non-display area NAA. The shieldingelectrode 122 may be electrically connected to the ground wiring 112through a contact hole formed through the first insulating layer 120.The shielding electrode 122 may overlap the touch wiring 114.

The second insulating layer 130 may be disposed on the first insulatinglayer 120 on which the second conductive layer is disposed.

The third conductive layer may be disposed on the second insulatinglayer 130. The third conductive layer may include the feeder 212disposed in the non-display area NAA and the antenna electrode 210disposed in the display area AA. The antenna electrode 210 and thefeeder 212 may be connected to each other.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional diagram taken along an antenna electrode anda feeder of a display apparatus according to example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 7, the display apparatus is substantially the same asthe display apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 3 except for a stacked structure ofthe ground wiring 112, the touch wiring 114, the shielding electrode122, the antenna electrode 210, and the feeder 212. Therefore, redundantdescriptions thereof will be omitted.

The display apparatus may include a display panel DP, a first conductivelayer, a first insulating layer 120, a second conductive layer, anintermediate insulating layer 125, a third conductive layer, a secondinsulating layer 130, and a fourth conductive layer. The firstconductive layer may include a touch wiring 114. The second conductivelayer may include a ground wiring 112. The third conductive layer mayinclude a shielding electrode 122. The fourth conductive layer mayinclude an antenna electrode 210 and a feeder 212.

The first conductive layer may be disposed on the display panel DP. Thefirst conductive layer may include the touch wiring 114 disposed in thenon-display area NAA.

The first insulating layer 120 may be disposed on the first conductivelayer.

The second conductive layer may be disposed on the first insulatinglayer 120. The second conductive layer may include the ground wiring 112disposed in the non-display area NAA.

The intermediate insulating layer 125 may be disposed on the firstinsulating layer 120 on which the second conductive layer is disposed.

The third conductive layer may be disposed on the intermediateinsulating layer 125. The third conductive layer may include theshielding electrode 122 disposed over the non-display area NAA and thedisplay area AA. The shielding electrode 122 may be electricallyconnected to the ground wiring 112 through a contact hole formed throughthe intermediate insulating layer 125. The shielding electrode 122 mayoverlap the touch wiring 114, and may overlap the antenna electrode 210.

The second insulating layer 130 may be disposed on the intermediateinsulating layer 125 on which the third conductive layer is disposed.

The fourth conductive layer may be disposed on the second insulatinglayer 130. The fourth conductive layer may include the feeder 212disposed in the non-display area NAA and the antenna electrode 210disposed in the display area AA. The antenna electrode 210 and thefeeder 212 may be connected to each other.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional diagram taken along an antenna electrode anda feeder of a display apparatus according to example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 8, the display apparatus is substantially the same asthe display apparatus of FIG. 7 except for a stacked structure of theground wiring 112 and the touch wiring 114. Therefore, redundantdescriptions thereof will be omitted.

The display apparatus may include a display panel DP, a first conductivelayer, a first insulating layer 120, a second conductive layer, anintermediate insulating layer 125, a third conductive layer, a secondinsulating layer 130, and a fourth conductive layer. The firstconductive layer may include a ground wiring 112. The second conductivelayer may include a touch wiring 114. The third conductive layer mayinclude a shielding electrode 122. The fourth conductive layer mayinclude an antenna electrode 210 and a feeder 212.

The shielding electrode 122 may be disposed over the non-display areaNAA and the display area AA. The shielding electrode 122 may beelectrically connected to the ground wiring 112 through a contact holeformed through the intermediate insulating layer 125 and the firstinsulating layer 120. The shielding electrode 122 may overlap the touchwiring 114, and may overlap the antenna electrode 210.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional diagram taken along an antenna electrode anda feeder of a display apparatus according to example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 9, the display apparatus is substantially the same asthe display apparatus of FIG. 3 except that the third conductive layeris formed on a separate film 200 and attached to the second insulatinglayer 130 instead of being directly formed on the second insulatinglayer 130. Therefore, redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The display apparatus may include a display panel DP, a first conductivelayer, a first insulating layer 120, a second conductive layer, a secondinsulating layer 130, a base film 200, and a third conductive layer. Thefirst conductive layer may include a ground wiring 112 and a touchwiring 114. The second conductive layer may include a shieldingelectrode 122. The third conductive layer may include an antennaelectrode 210 and a feeder 212.

The first conductive layer, the first insulating layer 120, the secondconductive layer, and the second insulating layer 130 may be formed onthe display panel DP through a direct deposition process. Thereafter, anantenna array in the form of a film in which the third conductive layeris formed on the base film 200 may be attached onto the third insulatinglayer 130 by using an adhesive layer (not shown) such as apressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA). For example, the base film 200 mayinclude a transparent resin film having flexibility.

Meanwhile, in another example embodiment, the first conductive layer andthe second conductive layer as well as the third conductive layer of thedisplay apparatus may be formed on a separate base film, and attached tothe display panel DP by using an adhesive layer.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional diagram taken along an antenna electrodeand a feeder of a display apparatus according to example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 10, the display apparatus is substantially the same asthe display apparatus of FIG. 9 except that the shielding electrode 122is disposed only in the non-display area NAA. Therefore, redundantdescriptions thereof will be omitted.

The display apparatus may include a display panel DP, a first conductivelayer, a first insulating layer 120, a second conductive layer, a secondinsulating layer 130, a base film 200, and a third conductive layer. Thefirst conductive layer may include a ground wiring 112 and a touchwiring 114. The second conductive layer may include a shieldingelectrode 122. The third conductive layer may include an antennaelectrode 210 and a feeder 212.

In order to prevent the coupling capacitance from being generatedbetween the touch wiring 114 and the feeder 212, the shielding electrode122 may be formed between the touch wiring 114 and the feeder 212 tocover the touch wiring 114, and may be formed only in the non-displayarea NAA.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional diagram taken along an antenna electrodeand a feeder of a display apparatus according to example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 11, the display apparatus may include a display panelDP, a first conductive layer, a first insulating layer 120, a base film200, a second conductive layer, a second insulating layer 204, and athird conductive layer. The first conductive layer may include a groundwiring 112 and a touch wiring 114. The second conductive layer mayinclude a shielding electrode 202. The third conductive layer mayinclude an antenna electrode 210 and a feeder 212.

The first conductive layer may be disposed on the display panel DP. Thefirst insulating layer 120 may be disposed on the first conductivelayer. Thereafter, an antenna array in the form of a film in which thesecond conductive layer and the third conductive layer are formed on thebase film 200 may be attached onto the first insulating layer 120 byusing an adhesive layer (not shown).

The second conductive layer may be disposed on the base film 200. Thesecond insulating layer 204 may be disposed on the second conductivelayer. The third conductive layer may be disposed on the secondinsulating layer 204 and the base film 200. The shielding electrode 202may be disposed between the feeder 212 and the touch wiring 114.

Here, the shielding electrode 202 of the second conductive layer may beelectrically connected to the ground wiring 112. For example, theshielding electrode 202 and the ground wiring 112 may be electricallyconnected to each other through a separate connection pad (not shown),or the shielding electrode 202 and the ground wiring 112 may beelectrically connected to each other through a connection electrode (notshown) provided through the first insulating layer 120 and the base film200.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional diagram taken along an antenna electrodeand a feeder of a display apparatus according to example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 12, the display apparatus is substantially the same asthe display apparatus of FIG. 11 except that the shielding electrode 202extends to the display area AA as well as the non-display area NAA tooverlap the antenna electrode 210. Therefore, redundant descriptionsthereof will be omitted.

The display apparatus may include a display panel DP, a first conductivelayer, a first insulating layer 120, a base film 200, a secondconductive layer, a second insulating layer 204, and a third conductivelayer. The first conductive layer may include a ground wiring 112 and atouch wiring 114. The second conductive layer may include a shieldingelectrode 202. The third conductive layer may include an antennaelectrode 210 and a feeder 212.

The shielding electrode 202 may be disposed between the feeder 212 andthe touch wiring 114 to cover the touch wiring 114 in the non-displayarea NAA. The shielding electrode 202 may extend to the display area AAto overlap the antenna electrode 210.

FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating an example antenna element(electrode) 210_i and a feeder 212 of the display apparatus 100according to example embodiments, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectionaldiagram taken along a line I-I′ in FIG. 13.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the display apparatus may include asubstrate 300, a thin film transistor layer TFTL, a pixel defining layerPDL, a light emitting structure 320, a thin film encapsulation layerTFE, a first conductive layer, a first insulating layer 120, a secondconductive layer, a second insulating layer 130, and a third conductivelayer. The first conductive layer may include a touch electrode TE, aground wiring 112, and a touch wiring 114. The second conductive layermay include a shielding electrode 122. The third conductive layer mayinclude an antenna electrode 210 (including the antenna element 210_i)and a feeder 212. The light emitting structure 320 may include a firstelectrode 321, a light emitting layer 322, and a second electrode 323. Abranch arm BA_i of the feeder 212 may electrically connect to a cornerportion of the antenna element 210_i, thereby exciting all theconductive material of the antenna element to radiate RF signal energyin the transmit direction, and to receive energy RF signal energy in thereceive direction. The antenna element 210_i may be electricallyisolated in the region of the display area AA from all other antennaelements such as 210_(i−1) and from the touch electrodes TE.

The substrate 300 may be a transparent insulating substrate. The thinfilm transistor layer TFTL including a thin film transistor TFT may bedisposed on the substrate 300. The thin film transistor layer TFTL mayinclude a plurality of conductive layers and insulating layers toconfigure the thin film transistor TFT.

The first electrode 321 of the light emitting structure 320 may bedisposed on the thin film transistor layer TFTL. The pixel defininglayer PDL may be disposed on the thin film transistor layer TFTL onwhich the first electrode 321 is disposed. The pixel defining layer PDLmay define an opening OP corresponding to an emission area. The lightemitting layer 322 and the second electrode 323 may be disposed on thefirst electrode 321 in the opening OP. The thin film encapsulation layerTFE may be disposed on the light emitting structure 320.

The first conductive layer may be disposed on the thin filmencapsulation layer TFE. The touch electrode TE may be disposed in thedisplay area AA. The touch electrode TE may include first touchelectrodes electrically connected to each other in the first directionD1 and second touch electrodes electrically connected to each other inthe second direction D2. Each touch electrode TE may have a rhombicshape including a lattice or mesh pattern extending in a directioninclined with respect to the first direction D1 and the second directionD2.

The touch wiring 114 may be disposed in the non-display area NAA. Thetouch wiring 114 may be electrically connected to the touch electrodeTE, where the touch electrode TE is disposed in the same layer as thetouch wiring 114 in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the touchelectrode TE is disposed in a different layer as that of the touchwiring 114, and connection is made therebetween through vias. The groundwiring 112 may be disposed in the non-display area NAA.

According to the above-discussed embodiment, the touch electrode TE hasbeen described as being formed of the third conductive layer, but inother embodiments, the touch electrode TE may be formed as patternedconductive elements of the first conductive layer, the second conductivelayer, or the third conductive layer, or may be formed by using at leasttwo of the first, second, and third conductive layers.

The first insulating layer 120 may be disposed on the first conductivelayer.

The second conductive layer may be disposed on the first insulatinglayer 120. The shielding electrode 122 may be electrically connected tothe ground wiring 112 through a contact hole formed through the firstinsulating layer 120. The shielding electrode 122 may extend in thefirst direction D1 along the feeder 212 in the non-display area NAA, andmay overlap the feeder 212. Accordingly, the shielding electrode 122 maybe disposed between the feeder 212 and the touch wiring 114.

The second insulating layer 130 may be disposed on the second conductivelayer.

The third conductive layer may be disposed on the second insulatinglayer 130. The antenna electrode 210 may be disposed in the display areaAA. The antenna electrode 210 may have a rhombic shape including alattice or mesh pattern extending in a direction inclined with respectto the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. In other words,the antenna electrode 210 may have a pattern shape including an openingso as not to overlap the emission area corresponding to the opening OP,and the antenna electrode 210 may have the same pattern shape as thetouch electrode TE.

Although the display panel DP has been illustrated as being an organiclight emitting diode display device (OLED), the embodiment is notlimited thereto. In another example embodiment, the display panel DP maybe a liquid crystal display device (LCD), a field emission displaydevice (FED), a plasma display device (PDP), or an electrophoretic imagedisplay device (EPD).

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating a display panel of adisplay apparatus according to example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 15, the display panel DP may be an organic lightemitting diode display panel. The display panel DP may include asubstrate 300, a thin film transistor layer TFTL, a pixel defining layerPDL, a light emitting structure 380, a thin film encapsulation layerTFE, and the like. The thin film transistor layer TFTL may include athin film transistor TFT, a gate insulating layer 310, an interlayerinsulating layer 320, and an insulating layer IL that includes a via V.The thin film transistor TFT may include an active pattern ACT, a gateelectrode GE, a source electrode SE, and a drain electrode DE. The lightemitting structure 380 may include a first electrode 381, a lightemitting layer 382, and a second electrode 383.

The substrate 300 may be formed of a transparent or opaque material. Forexample, the substrate 300 may include a quartz substrate, a syntheticquartz substrate, a calcium fluoride substrate, a fluorine-doped quartzsubstrate (F-doped quartz substrate), a soda lime glass substrate, anon-alkali glass substrate, and the like. In some example embodiments,the substrate 300 may be a transparent resin substrate havingflexibility. Examples of the transparent resin substrate that may beused as the base substrate 300 may include a polyimide substrate.

A buffer layer (not shown) may be disposed on the substrate 300. Thebuffer layer may prevent metal atoms or impurities from diffusing fromthe substrate 300 to the thin film transistor TFT, and may control aheat transfer rate during a crystallization process for forming theactive pattern ACT to obtain a substantially uniform active pattern ACT.In addition, when a surface of the substrate 300 is not uniform, thebuffer layer may serve to improve flatness of the surface of thesubstrate 300. Depending on a type of the substrate 300, at least twobuffer layers may be provided on the substrate 300, or the buffer layermay not be provided. For example, the buffer layer may include anorganic material or an inorganic material.

The active pattern ACT may be disposed on the substrate 300. The activepattern ACT may include a metal oxide semiconductor, an inorganicsemiconductor (e.g., amorphous silicon or poly silicon semiconductor),an organic semiconductor, or the like. The active pattern ACT may have asource region, a drain region, and a channel region disposed between thesource region and the drain region.

The gate insulating layer 310 may be disposed on the active pattern ACT.For example, the gate insulating layer 310 may sufficiently cover theactive pattern ACT on the substrate 300, and may have a substantiallyflat top surface without creating a step around the active pattern ACT.In some example embodiments, the gate insulating layer 310 may bedisposed along a profile of the active pattern ACT with a uniformthickness to cover the active pattern ACT on the substrate 300. The gateinsulating layer 310 may include a silicon compound, metal oxide, andthe like. For example, the gate insulating layer 310 may include siliconoxide (SiO_(x)), silicon nitride (SiN_(x)), silicon oxynitride(SiO_(x)N_(y)), silicon oxycarbide (SiO_(x)C_(y)), silicon carbonitride(SiC_(x)N_(y)), aluminum oxide (AlO_(x)), aluminum nitride (AlN_(x)),tantalum oxide (TaO_(x)), hafnium oxide (HfO_(x)), zirconium oxide(ZrO_(x)), titanium oxide (TiO_(x)), and the like. In some exampleembodiments, the gate insulating layer 310 may have a multilayerstructure including a plurality of insulating layers. For example, theinsulating layers may have mutually different thicknesses or may includemutually different materials.

A gate pattern including the gate electrode GE may be disposed on thegate insulating layer 310. The gate pattern may overlap the channelregion of the active pattern ACT. The gate electrode GE may include ametal, an alloy, metal nitride, conductive metal oxide, a transparentconductive material, and the like. For example, the gate electrode 170may include one or more of gold (Au), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al),tungsten (W), copper (Cu), platinum (Pt), nickel (Ni), titanium (Ti),palladium (Pd), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), lithium (Li), chromium(Cr), tantalum (Ta), molybdenum (Mo), scandium (Sc), neodymium (Nd),iridium (Ir), an aluminum-containing alloy, aluminum nitride (AlN_(x)),a silver-containing alloy, tungsten nitride (WN_(x)), acopper-containing alloy, a molybdenum-containing alloy, titanium nitride(TiN_(x)), chromium nitride (CrN_(x)), tantalum nitride (TaN_(x)),strontium ruthenium oxide (SrRu_(x)O_(y)), zinc oxide (ZnO_(x)), indiumtin oxide (ITO), tin oxide (SnO_(x)), indium oxide (InO_(x)), galliumoxide (GaO_(x)), indium zinc oxide (IZO), and the like. In some exampleembodiments, the gate pattern may include a multilayer structureincluding a plurality of metal layers. For example, the metal layers mayhave mutually different thicknesses or may include mutually differentmaterials.

The interlayer insulating layer 320 may be disposed on the gate pattern.For example, the interlayer insulating layer 320 may sufficiently coverthe gate pattern on the gate insulating layer 310, and may have asubstantially flat top surface without creating a step around the gatepattern. In some example embodiments, the interlayer insulating layer320 may be disposed along a profile of the gate pattern with a uniformthickness to cover the gate pattern on the gate insulating layer 310.The interlayer insulating layer 320 may include a silicon compound,metal oxide, and the like. In some example embodiments, the interlayerinsulating layer 320 may have a multilayer structure including aplurality of insulating layers. For example, the insulating layers mayhave mutually different thicknesses or may include mutually differentmaterials.

A data pattern including the source electrode SE and the drain electrodeDE of the thin film transistor TFT may be disposed on the interlayerinsulating layer 320. The source electrode SE may be connected to thesource region of the active pattern ACT through a contact hole formed byremoving first portions of the gate insulating layer 310 and theinterlayer insulating layer 320, and the drain electrode DE may beconnected to the drain region of the active pattern ACT through acontact hole formed by removing second portions of the gate insulatinglayer 310 and the interlayer insulating layer 320. Each of the datapatterns may include a metal, an alloy, metal nitride, conductive metaloxide, a transparent conductive material, and the like. These may beused alone or in combination with each other. In some exampleembodiments, the data pattern may have a multilayer structure includinga plurality of metal layers. For example, the metal layers may havemutually different thicknesses or may include mutually differentmaterials.

Accordingly, thin film transistor TFT including the active pattern ACT,the gate insulating layer 310, the gate electrode GE, the interlayerinsulating layer 320, the source electrode SE, and the drain electrodeDE may be provided.

Although the thin film transistor TFT has been described as having a topgate structure, the configuration of the present invention is notlimited thereto. For example, the thin film transistor TFT may have abottom gate structure, a dual gate structure, or the like.

The insulating layer IL may be disposed on the interlayer insulatinglayer 320 and the data pattern. For example, the insulating layer IL mayhave a relatively thick thickness. In this case, the insulating layer ILmay have a substantially flat top surface. In order to implement such aflat top surface of the insulating layer IL, a planarization process maybe additionally performed on the insulating layer IL. In some exampleembodiments, the insulating layer IL may be disposed along a profile ofthe data pattern with a uniform thickness on the interlayer insulatinglayer 320.The insulating layer IL may be formed of an organic materialor an inorganic material. In example embodiments, the insulating layerIL may include an organic material. For example, the insulating layer ILmay include a photoresist, a polyacryl-based resin, a polyimide-basedresin, a polyamide-based resin, a siloxane-based resin, an acryl-basedresin, an epoxy-based resin, and the like.

The first electrode 381 may be disposed on the insulating layer IL. Thefirst electrode 381 may be electrically connected to the thin filmtransistor TFT through a contact hole formed by removing a portion ofthe insulating layer IL. The first electrode 381 may include a metal, analloy, metal nitride, conductive metal oxide, a transparent conductivematerial, and the like, and form a via V. These may be used alone or incombination with each other. In some example embodiments, the firstelectrode 381 may have a multilayer structure including a plurality ofmetal layers. For example, the metal layers may have mutually differentthicknesses or may include mutually different materials.

The pixel defining layer PDL may be disposed on the insulating layer IL.For example, the pixel defining layer PDL may expose a portion of a topsurface of the first electrode 381 while covering both sides of thefirst electrode 381. The pixel defining layer PDL may be formed of anorganic material or an inorganic material. In example embodiments, thepixel defining layer 310 may include an organic material.

The light emitting layer 383 may be disposed on the pixel defining layerPDL and the first electrode 381. The light emitting layer 383 may beformed by using at least one of light emitting materials for emittingdifferent color lights (i.e., red light, green light, blue light, etc.)according to sub-pixels. Alternatively, the light emitting layer 383 maybe formed by stacking a plurality of light emitting materials forgenerating different color lights such as red light, green light, andblue light to emit white light as a whole. In this case, a color filtermay be disposed on the light emitting layer 383 which is disposed on thefirst electrode 381. The color filter may include at least one of a redcolor filter, a green color filter, and a blue color filter. In someexample embodiments, the color filter may include a yellow color filter,a cyan color filter, and a magenta color filter. The color filter mayinclude a photosensitive resin or a color photoresist.

The second electrode 383 may be disposed on the light emitting layer 382and the pixel defining layer PDL. The second electrode 383 may include ametal, an alloy, metal nitride, conductive metal oxide, a transparentconductive material, and the like. These may be used alone or incombination with each other. In some example embodiments, the secondelectrode 383 may have a multilayer structure including a plurality ofmetal layers. For example, the metal layers may have mutually differentthicknesses or may include mutually different materials.

The thin film encapsulation layer TFE may be disposed on the secondelectrode 383. The thin film encapsulation layer TFE may include atleast one inorganic layer and at least one organic layer which arealternately stacked on each other. For example, the thin filmencapsulation layer TFE may include a first inorganic layer, an organiclayer disposed on the first inorganic layer, and a second inorganiclayer disposed on the organic layer. The thin film encapsulation layerTFE may prevent the light emitting layer 382 from being degraded due topenetration of moisture, oxygen, and the like. In addition, the thinfilm encapsulation layer TFE may also function to protect the displaypanel DP from an external impact. Further, the thin film encapsulationlayer TFE may improve flatness of the display panel DP.

In another example embodiment, a sealing substrate may be providedinstead of the thin film encapsulation layer TFE to block external airand moisture from penetrating into the display apparatus.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a displayapparatus according to example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 16, the display apparatus is substantially the same asthe display apparatus of FIG. 1 except that one touch antenna driverdrives both the touch electrode and the antenna electrode instead ofseparately configuring the touch driver and the antenna driver to drivethe touch antenna array. Therefore, redundant descriptions thereof willbe omitted.

The display apparatus may include a display panel DP, a scan driverSCAN, a data driver DD, an emission control driver EM, a controller CON,a touch antenna array TA, and a touch antenna driver TSPRF.

The touch antenna driver TSPRF may transmit an electrical signal to thetouch electrode (e.g. TE of FIG. 2) and may transmit an RF signal to theantenna electrode 210 (see FIG. 2), and may receive an electrical signalfrom the touch electrode and an RF signal from the antenna electrode210.

The touch antenna driver TSPRF may be disposed in the non-display areamaking contact with one side of the display area (see AA of FIG. 3). Thetouch antenna driver TSPRF may be configured as an integrated circuitdirectly mounted on the touch antenna array TA, or may have aconfiguration in which a pad electrode is formed on the touch antennaarray TA and the touch antenna array TA is connected to a separatedriving substrate through the pad electrode.

FIG. 17 is a perspective diagram illustrating a display apparatusaccording to example embodiments, FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional diagramillustrating a first edge area of the display apparatus of FIG. 17, andFIG. 19 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating a first edge area of adisplay apparatus according to example embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, the display apparatus may include adisplay panel DP, a touch antenna array TA, and a cover window CW.

The display apparatus may include a display area AA in which an image isdisplayed and a non-display area NAA adjacent to the display area.

The display area AA may include a main display area MA, and a first edgedisplay area EA1 and a second edge display area EA2 which are adjacentto the main display area MA. For example, the main display area MA mayhave a rectangular shape extending in the first direction D1 and thesecond direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1, and thefirst edge display area EA1 and the second edge display area EA2 mayextend in the second direction D2 and may be connected to left and rightsides of the main display area MA in the first direction D1,respectively. The first edge display area EA1 and the second edgedisplay area EA2 may be bent in a third direction D3 perpendicular tothe first direction D1 and the second direction D2 to form a curvedsurface.

The display panel DP may be a flexible display panel, for example, aflexible organic light emitting diode display panel.

The touch antenna array TA may be disposed on the display panel DP, andmay include a touch electrode and an antenna electrode in the displayarea AA. The antenna electrode may be disposed in the first or secondedge display area EA1 or EA2.

The touch antenna array TA may include a ground wiring, a touch wiring,a shielding electrode, and a feeder in the non-display area NAA.

The antenna driver AD may be disposed in the non-display area NAA. Theantenna driver AD may be configured as an integrated circuit directlymounted on the touch antenna array TA, or may have a configuration inwhich a pad electrode is formed on the touch antenna array TA and thetouch antenna array TA is connected to a separate driving substratethrough the pad electrode.

The cover window CW may be attached onto the touch antenna array TA byusing an adhesive layer (not shown). The cover window CW may have acurved edge portion to correspond to curved surfaces of the first andsecond edge display areas EA1 and EA2. In an electronic device (e.g., asmart phone) including the display apparatus, the cover window CW mayconstitute a portion of an outer surface of the electronic device.

In the first or second edge display area EA1 or EA2, a connectionportion between the non-display area NAA and the display area AA may befolded so that the non-display area NAA is located on a rear side of thedisplay area AA. In other words, edge portions of the display panel DPand the touch antenna array TA may be folded so as to be located on arear side of a display surface. Accordingly, the antenna driver AD maybe located on the rear side of the display surface of the display panelDP.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating a first edge area of adisplay apparatus according to example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 19, the display apparatus is substantially the same asthe display apparatus of FIG. 18 except that the touch antenna array TAis longer than the display panel DP so that the edge portion of thetouch antenna array TA is folded. Therefore, redundant descriptionsthereof will be omitted.

The display apparatus may include a display panel DP, a touch antennaarray TA, and a cover window CW.

An edge portion of the touch antenna array TA on which the antennadriver AD is disposed may be folded so as to be located on the rear sideof the display surface. Accordingly, the antenna driver AD may belocated on the rear side of the display surface of the display panel DP.In this case, the touch antenna array TA may include a base film (seeFIG. 9, etc.) having a size larger than a size of the substrate (see 300of FIG. 15) of the display panel DP.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic apparatusaccording to example embodiments.

Referring FIG. 20, the electronic apparatus 500 may include a processor510, a memory device 520, a storage device 530, an input/output (I/O)device 540, a power supply 550, and a display apparatus 560. Here, thedisplay apparatus 560 may be the display apparatus of FIG. 1. Inaddition, the electronic apparatus 500 may further include a pluralityof ports for communicating with a video card, a sound card, a memorycard, a universal serial bus (USB) device, other electronic apparatuses,etc. In an example embodiment, the electronic apparatus 500 may beimplemented as a smart phone. However, the electronic apparatus 500 isnot limited thereto. For example, the electronic apparatus 500 may beimplemented as a television, a cellular phone, a video phone, a smartpad, a smart watch, a tablet PC, a car navigation system, a computermonitor, a laptop, a head mounted display (HMD) apparatus, etc.

The processor 510 may perform various computing functions. The processor510 may be a micro processor, a central processing unit (CPU), anapplication processor (AP), etc. The processor 510 may be coupled toother components via an address bus, a control bus, a data bus, etc.Further, the processor 510 may be coupled to an extended bus such as aperipheral component interconnection (PCI) bus. The memory device 520may store data for operations of the electronic apparatus 500. Forexample, the memory device 520 may include at least one non-volatilememory device such as an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM)device, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)device, a flash memory device, a phase change random access memory(PRAM) device, a resistance random access memory (RRAM) device, a nanofloating gate memory (NFGM) device, a polymer random access memory(PoRAM) device, a magnetic random access memory (MRAM) device, aferroelectric random access memory (FRAM) device, etc and/or at leastone volatile memory device such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM)device, a static random access memory (SRAM) device, a mobile DRAMdevice, etc. The storage device 530 may include a solid state drive(SSD) device, a hard disk drive (HDD) device, a CD-ROM device, etc. TheI/O device 540 may include an input device such as a keyboard, a keypad,a mouse device, a touch-pad, a touch-screen, etc, and an output devicesuch as a printer, a speaker, etc. The power supply 550 may providepower for operations of the electronic apparatus 500.

The display apparatus 560 may be coupled to other components via thebuses or other communication links. In some example embodiments, the I/Odevice 540 may include the display apparatus 560. As described above,the display apparatus 560 includes a display panel configured to displayan image and a touch antenna array disposed on the display panel. Thetouch antenna array includes a touch electrode and an antenna electrodeto perform a touch function and an antenna function. Here, since ashielding electrode to which a ground voltage or a constant voltage isapplied is disposed between a touch wiring electrically connected to thetouch electrode and a feeder electrically connected to the antennaelectrode, a signal distortion problem caused by a coupling capacitancebetween the touch wiring and the feeder, which are driven at differentfrequencies and voltages, can be prevented from occurring. Since theseare described above, duplicated description related thereto will not berepeated.

The present inventive concept may be applied to a display apparatus andan electronic apparatus including the display apparatus. For example,the present inventive concept may be applied to a smart phone, acellular phone, a video phone, a smart pad, a smart watch, a tablet PC,a car navigation system, a television, a computer monitor, a laptop, ahead mounted display apparatus, etc.

The foregoing is illustrative of example embodiments and is not to beconstrued as limiting thereof. Although a few example embodiments havebeen described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatmany modifications are possible in the example embodiments withoutmaterially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of thepresent inventive concept. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present inventiveconcept as defined in the claims. Therefore, it is to be understood thatthe foregoing is illustrative of various example embodiments and is notto be construed as limited to the specific example embodimentsdisclosed, and that modifications to the disclosed example embodiments,as well as other example embodiments, are intended to be included withinthe scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display apparatus comprising: a display panelconfigured to display an image; and a touch antenna array disposed onthe display panel, wherein the display apparatus includes a display areain which the image is displayed and a non-display area adjacent to andcontacting the display area, and wherein the touch antenna arrayincludes: a touch electrode layer disposed in the display area; a firstconductive layer disposed in the non-display area and electricallyconnected to the touch electrode layer; an antenna electrode layerdisposed in the display area; a second conductive layer disposed in thenon-display area and electrically connected to the antenna electrodelayer; and a shielding electrode layer disposed in both the display areaand the non-display area and disposed between the first conductive layerand the second conductive layer in the non-display area, the shieldingelectrode layer being not electrically connected to the first conductivelayer and the second conductive layer.
 2. The display apparatus of claim1, wherein the touch antenna array further includes: a third conductivelayer disposed in the non-display area and spaced apart from the firstconductive layer.
 3. The display apparatus of claim 2, wherein a groundvoltage or a fixed voltage is applied to the third conductive layer, andthe shielding electrode layer is electrically connected to the thirdconductive layer.
 4. The display apparatus of claim 2, wherein a groundvoltage or a fixed voltage is applied to the third conductive layer, andthe shielding electrode layer extends from the third conductive layer.5. The display apparatus of claim 2, wherein the third conductive layerand the first conductive layer are disposed on a same layer.
 6. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 2, wherein the third conductive layer and thefirst conductive layer are disposed on different layers.
 7. The displayapparatus of claim 1, wherein an antenna electrode of the antennaelectrode layer is spaced apart from a touch electrode of the touchelectrode layer when viewed in a plan view and does not overlap thetouch electrode of the touch electrode layer.
 8. The display apparatusof claim 1, wherein the touch electrode layer and the antenna electrodelayer are disposed on a same layer.
 9. The display apparatus of claim 1,wherein the touch antenna array further includes: a first insulatinglayer disposed between the first conductive layer and the shieldingelectrode layer; and a second insulating layer disposed between theshielding electrode layer and the second conductive layer.
 10. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second conductive layer andthe antenna electrode layer contact each other through a contact holeformed in an insulating layer.
 11. A display apparatus comprising: adisplay panel configured to display an image; and a touch antenna arraydisposed on the display panel, wherein the display apparatus includes adisplay area in which the image is displayed and a non-display areaadjacent to and contacting the display area, and wherein the touchantenna array includes: a touch electrode layer disposed in the displayarea; a first conductive layer disposed in the non-display area andelectrically connected to the touch electrode layer; an antennaelectrode layer disposed in the display area; a second conductive layerdisposed in the non-display area and electrically connected to theantenna electrode layer; and a shielding electrode layer disposed in thenon-display area and disposed between the first conductive layer and thesecond conductive layer, the shielding electrode layer being notelectrically connected to the first conductive layer and the secondconductive layer.
 12. The display apparatus of claim 11, wherein thetouch antenna array further includes: a third conductive layer disposedin the non-display area and spaced apart from the first conductivelayer.
 13. The display apparatus of claim 12, wherein a ground voltageor a fixed voltage is applied to the third conductive layer, and theshielding electrode layer is electrically connected to the thirdconductive layer.
 14. The display apparatus of claim 12, wherein aground voltage or a fixed voltage is applied to the third conductivelayer, and the shielding electrode layer extends from the thirdconductive layer.
 15. The display apparatus of claim 12, wherein thethird conductive layer and the first conductive layer are disposed on asame layer.
 16. The display apparatus of claim 12, wherein the thirdconductive layer and the first conductive layer are disposed ondifferent layers.
 17. The display apparatus of claim 11, wherein anantenna electrode of the antenna electrode layer is spaced apart from atouch electrode of the touch electrode layer when viewed in a plan viewand does not overlap the touch electrode of the touch electrode layer.18. The display apparatus of claim 11, wherein the touch electrode layerand the antenna electrode layer are disposed on a same layer.
 19. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 11, wherein the touch antenna array furtherincludes: a first insulating layer disposed between the first conductivelayer and the shielding electrode layer; and a second insulating layerdisposed between the shielding electrode layer and the second conductivelayer.
 20. The display apparatus of claim 11, wherein the secondconductive layer and the antenna electrode layer contact each otherthrough a contact hole formed in an insulating layer.